Mountain Bikers

musclefan21

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Folks,

I have been doing the dirt biking stuff in the last year and enjoy it very much. I have a 16 KTM 250 and she is a beast.

I enjoy staying active and figured maybe I should add a mountain bike to the mix as well and just purchased a full suspension 2021 Polygon Siskiu T7. I know they aren’t all that well known but there isn’t a single negative review on those bikes (other than small minor stuff that every bike has to it’s users). And its certainly cheaper than some bigger brands.
What kind of bikes do you guys ride? School this new kid at the block on mountain biking please.
 

03 DSG Snake

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product_500705_55713.jpg


I ride a 2015 Specialized Stumpjumper Comp Carbon 29. Have been off the bike for awhile though, the toddlers suck up all my spare time.
 

Mpoitrast87

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Big mountain biker here. I have a 2018 Specialized enduro pro carbon. Looking to buy a downhill bike soon as I only live 2 hours from some of the best bike parks in the country. Friend I ride with bought a polygon last year. He loves it. And for the price the quality is actually really good.
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musclefan21

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What are prices for those beauties above?

also is what kind of bike is that red one? Jesus... that’s gorgeous.
 

ON D BIT

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There’s a ton of good bikes out there. One needs to look at components and geometry and which one works best for you.
I have a 20 Pivot Switchblade. pinkbike.com has a lot of good info.
FE6ADEFB-4396-4ECC-9E23-48B79A81BCBD.jpeg

 
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WutApex

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I currently ride a 97 steel Bontrager with a full compliment of XTR, King, and Ti parts, as well as an 06 Gary Fisher Fat Possum XO.
Although probably the worst time to be shopping for a bike, considering availability and the chance to test ride, I think I’ve narrowed down my list to the following (in order):
- Transition Spur
- Ibis Ripley
- YT Izzo
- Revel Rascal (or maybe even the Ranger)

You’re right about Polygon...not many bad reviews, but not a whole bunch out there either when compared to the bigger names. Although it seems like you’d have limited comparative info, I’d be interested in your assessment after you’ve ridden it for a while.
And if anyone’s put a leg over any of the bikes on my list, I’d sure like to hear your thoughts.
 

Mpoitrast87

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I currently ride a 97 steel Bontrager with a full compliment of XTR, King, and Ti parts, as well as an 06 Gary Fisher Fat Possum XO.
Although probably the worst time to be shopping for a bike, considering availability and the chance to test ride, I think I’ve narrowed down my list to the following (in order):
- Transition Spur
- Ibis Ripley
- YT Izzo
- Revel Rascal (or maybe even the Ranger)

You’re right about Polygon...not many bad reviews, but not a whole bunch out there either when compared to the bigger names. Although it seems like you’d have limited comparative info, I’d be interested in your assessment after you’ve ridden it for a while.
And if anyone’s put a leg over any of the bikes on my list, I’d sure like to hear your thoughts.
Ibis is on my short list of bikes to get next. Great bikes. I hear very conflicting reviews about YT. I initially looked at YT until i was talked out of it due to them having manufacturing defects and a bad warranty.
 

aoc racer

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I’ve only had Specialized and Giant. I like both a lot and usually will go with which every one has a sale going on. Haven’t bought a bike in a while but if I were to it would be the Giant Trance.
 

ajaf1656

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I have a few mountain bikes...

My Diamondback Ascent:
C8941C3B-F330-4A66-A60B-9C972CD4C00C.jpeg


Trek 950:
FB29F757-3AD2-4633-B77F-2939B0E65787.jpeg


Commencal Meta HT:
CAE17C6D-9697-43E0-A0D6-88EF095E1EBC.jpeg
 

velocicaur

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Nice bikes!

I have a basic giant with front suspension - it was about $300 new.

I'm really jealous of the people that have access to the downhill trails. I live in Michigan so the terrain is about as mundane as it comes. It's one of the main reasons I stick to motorized vehicles as the excitement just isn't there.

That being said, I'll only buy an electric bike going forward. I know it goes against all things mountain biking but it is what it is. I really like what Lunacycles offers especially at that price point: high wattage twist throttle!
 

ajaf1656

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Keep in mind that an "electric bike" is a motorized vehicle and should only be used where motorized vehicles are allowed.
 

Mpoitrast87

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Nice bikes!

I have a basic giant with front suspension - it was about $300 new.

I'm really jealous of the people that have access to the downhill trails. I live in Michigan so the terrain is about as mundane as it comes. It's one of the main reasons I stick to motorized vehicles as the excitement just isn't there.

That being said, I'll only buy an electric bike going forward. I know it goes against all things mountain biking but it is what it is. I really like what Lunacycles offers especially at that price point: high wattage twist throttle!
I get the appeal of e-bikes. especially on flat terrain. But even on hills it would be nice to not have to peddle up a mountain just to be so burnt out you cant go down lol.
 

Grabber

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Maybe someone can elaborate and explain why a full suspension bike is needed? Is it primarily for downhill and "rough" terrain?

My Trek Marlin 7 which is <$850 handles "rough" terrain, mud, etc.

Just curious as I see some of these bikes over $5,000+. These things jerk you off while riding?
 

black92

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@musclefan21 - Older thread I made similar to this: https://svtperformance.com/threads/mountain-biking.1158242/

Some of you guys have some sick ass bikes! I'm still rocking a 2005 Specialized S-Works M5 I got 4 years ago. Upgraded the tires, grips and pedals over the winter of 2019 and when the 2020 riding season hit, thanks to COVID, I mostly stayed home and just pulled the kids around. This year, hoping to hit more trails up and since my oldest learned to ride last year, I plan to bring her along. There is also a new trail opening not far from me, but I think it's going to be paved instead of dirt.
Bike.jpg
 

Mpoitrast87

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Maybe someone can elaborate and explain why a full suspension bike is needed? Is it primarily for downhill and "rough" terrain?

My Trek Marlin 7 which is <$850 handles "rough" terrain, mud, etc.

Just curious as I see some of these bikes over $5,000+. These things jerk you off while riding?
Full suspension is primarily used for downhill(jumps) and trails with alot of drops. Not only does full suspension help save your body from abuse, but on a hard tail you will eventually snap the frame taking it off jumps/drops
 

ajaf1656

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Maybe someone can elaborate and explain why a full suspension bike is needed? Is it primarily for downhill and "rough" terrain?

My Trek Marlin 7 which is <$850 handles "rough" terrain, mud, etc.

Just curious as I see some of these bikes over $5,000+. These things jerk you off while riding?

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the front suspension. It's weird and miscalculating it off the lip of a jump last summer earned me 5 stitches in my knee. Full suspension can help if you know how to use it, but I keep up with everyone on my hardtail. I've dropped 6' ledges and stairs to flat concrete on my BMX with 20" wheels and no suspension, so do you really need suspension? My knees, wrists and ankles wish I had suspension when I was younger.
 

Grabber

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Full suspension is primarily used for downhill(jumps) and trails with alot of drops. Not only does full suspension help save your body from abuse, but on a hard tail you will eventually snap the frame taking it off jumps/drops

Thanks for the explanation. If you're using it essentially as a stunt bike, I suppose it makes sense. I've abused the absolute shit out of my trek bikes and never had an issue with the frame. Granted, I wasn't a stunt double doing tricks on mountainsides, but I've got air more times than I can count on my old bike, and considering I've been told I'm a larger guy (6'1, 220) the bike has held up. The Marlin hasn't been through remotely anything abusive, but I enjoy racing road bikes with skinny tires and lightweight frames just to see the look on their faces as to why I am still there, LOL.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the front suspension. It's weird and miscalculating it off the lip of a jump last summer earned me 5 stitches in my knee. Full suspension can help if you know how to use it, but I keep up with everyone on my hardtail. I've dropped 6' ledges and stairs to flat concrete on my BMX with 20" wheels and no suspension, so do you really need suspension? My knees, wrists and ankles wish I had suspension when I was younger.

I get that. I've had my right knee fractured twice from wrestling and my left knee is not in the best shape either. Same with my feet/ankles. However, I am still trying to justify spending maybe $1500-$2000 vs. $6,000+ for full suspension bikes.

Maybe one day I'll get one, but for now, since my current Marlin is good for what I use it for, I'll ride it until I break it. Hopefully it lasts a long time, ha.
 

Mpoitrast87

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I get that. I've had my right knee fractured twice from wrestling and my left knee is not in the best shape either. Same with my feet/ankles. However, I am still trying to justify spending maybe $1500-$2000 vs. $6,000+ for full suspension bikes.

Maybe one day I'll get one, but for now, since my current Marlin is good for what I use it for, I'll ride it until I break it. Hopefully it lasts a long time, ha.
If you don;t ride all that often id look into Polygon's or a used specialized or santa cruz full suspension bikes. But if you go alot like i do then you wont think twice about dropping 3-6k on a bike after spending some time on one.
 

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